TUGUEGARAO CITY — The police in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) expressed readiness to secure the people as the election period formally started Sunday.
“With the start of the election period for the mid-term election, the regional police are now prepared to secure fair and safe national elections on May 13. Successful public security lies on early preparation, considering the risks and threats in the local communities,” Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley police director, told reporters here.
Political leaders, candidates, election officials and police officers pledged for a credible and peaceful elections during a unity walk and prayer rally at the Rizal Park in this city.
The activities which were also attended by representatives of non-government organizations and civic groups, started with the unity walk from the Cagayan Sports Complex, passing through Kalye Komersyo, to Rizal Park with police regional and provincial officials as lead teams.
Espino said the police regional office will prioritize its deployment of forces to areas with past election-related cases of violence.
“Apart from the number of policemen assigned in police stations, an augmentation force from the regional headquarters and provincial police offices will be deployed,” he said.
Police members should keep their security forces fully alert as the region “is not exempt from intense political rivalries which greatly affect the peaceful conduct of election in the previous elections,” he added.
The police, according to Espino, will “strictly implement sustained law enforcements, security and public safety operations before, during and after the election to maintain peace and order in the entire region”.
